100% independent. 110% Clemson.
Owned and operated by a 2002 Clemson graduate.
👉 Unlock THREE months of CST+ for just $1.00
Former Clemson players made their presence felt across the opening weekend of the 2026 NFL preseason, with rookies and veterans getting their first game action of the year.
Adam Randall provided one of the biggest highlights among the former Tigers, rushing 12 times for 46 yards and a touchdown in the Baltimore Ravens' 24-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The running back also caught one pass for two yards on two targets.
Safety K'Von Wallace had three tackles for the Ravens.
On the other side, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. recorded five tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hit for Philadelphia. Running back Will Shipley rushed seven times for 22 yards.
Tight end Jake Briningstool caught three passes for 29 yards on four targets in a 20-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. His 29 receiving yards led the Chiefs.
Briningstool suffered a hamstring injury during training camp last season and eventually landed on injured reserve. He has been impressive in camp.
Rookie defensive end T.J. Parker recorded a solo tackle, a sack, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit in Buffalo's 29-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Panthers linebacker Isaiah Simmons was active on the other side, recording six tackles, including five solo stops.
Deshaun Watson started for Cleveland against Chicago and played his first game snaps in approximately 22 months after suffering a ruptured Achilles in October 2024 and experiencing another setback during his recovery.
Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards in Cleveland's 34-10 loss to the Bears. He did not throw a touchdown or interception, although he lost a fumble. Watson directed two scoring drives during his first-half work.
The preseason appearance also represented another step in Cleveland's quarterback competition. Watson and Shedeur Sanders are battling for the starting job, with Sanders taking over in the second half against Chicago and completing 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards with an interception. Sanders is scheduled to start Cleveland's next preseason game against Buffalo as the Browns continue evaluating the two quarterbacks.
New York Jets quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 5 of 7 passes for 56 yards, finishing with a 94.9 passer rating. The fourth-round pick helped direct two scoring drives during the 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Defensive tackles Demonte Capehart and Payton Page recorded two tackles and one tackle for the Buccaneers and Jets, respectively.
Wide receiver Antonio Williams caught one pass for 16 yards on three targets for Washington in the Commanders' 20-7 victory over Miami.
Miami punter Bradley Pinion punted six times for 269 yards, averaging 44.8 yards with a long of 53 yards.
Safety R.J. Mickens recorded five tackles, including four solo stops, and a pass defense for the Los Angeles Chargers in their 27-7 victory over Houston. Texans rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz finished with two solo tackles.
Defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro recorded three tackles, a half sack, and quarterback pressure for Jacksonville in the Jaguars' 24-20 victory over New Orleans.
Cornerback Mario Goodrich III finished with one tackle for Tennessee in its 19-13 victory over San Francisco, and defensive end Xavier Thomas had one tackle for the 49ers.
Dallas running back Phil Mafah rushed four times for nine yards and caught his only target for six yards in the Cowboys' 17-7 victory over Seattle. His night ended early after he suffered a chest injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The injury was another setback for Mafah after a shoulder injury severely limited his rookie season in 2025.
